Nutrition from the inside and out: as told by a future Registered Dietitian

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Are you looking to learn a few things in the nutrition world? Are you concerned about where to find valid information? With so much content out there, and so many “experts” telling you what to do, it’s no surprise that people are confused about who to turn to when looking for nutrition advice. Maybe the cloudiness of information contributes to the reason why nearly 2/3 of the American population have a BMI-score that labels them as “overweight” or “obese.”

From the grapefruit diet to the liquid diet, from eating low-fat to eating low-carb, and from doing a detox to taking diet pills…of course you’re confused!

So that’s why I’ve compiled a list of my favorite resources you can use to learn more about nutrition and separate the facts from the fads.

First off, one of your best options is to look for a Registered Dietitian where you live. A registered dietitian is someone who has earned a 4 year degree studying the science of nutrition and the art of how to help you receive optimal nutrition daily. An RD must also have completed a supervised practice program and pass a national examination.

For reliable information online, the American Dietetic Association offers credible articles about nutrition through every stage of life, gives insight on nutrition for the prevention and management of disease, and answers questions about food safety.

Another online resource is through MyPyramid.gov. On this site, you can find basic information about the food groups and physical activity. Based on your age, sex, height, and weight, you’re able to see how much of each food group you should eat per day. You’re also able to print a Meal Tracking Worksheet to monitor your progress.

To help kids learn more about nutrition, have them visit the BAM! website– an interactive website created by the CDC– or Nutrition Explorations. Both websites use colorful graphics and show healthy eating as fun!

For a fun, fresh approach to nutrition, my personal favorite web pages may be a good way for you to learn more. I love the healthy recipes and health articles from Fitness Magazine. In addition, they give great ideas for working out by providing printable treadmill workouts and videos regarding proper form for strength exercises. Shape Magazine’s Nutrition 101 and Self‘s Nutrition Data are other good resources to learn more.

Regardless of what site you read, make sure the information you receive is accurate and credible! Is it backed by a legitimate source? Does it promise true health instead of a quick-fix? If so, you’re on the right track to wellness. Congrats! : )

Comment on this!: Have you seen these webpages before? What are your go-to sources for nutrition and health information?

I think I may have bought a little too much, but I mean, it was all ON SALE!! I’m such a sucker for a sale. Activia Yogurt: $.99. (I had a $1.00 off coupon – score!) Grapes $0.99/lb, Apples $1/lb. And that whole bunch of bananas? NINETY ONE CENTS for it all! Who says eating healthy means expensive? Not me!

This blog presents to you installment 3 of the 3 part series dissecting Newton’s Laws of Motion—Health Style. Part 1 talked about Newton’s first law and part 2 talked about Newton’s Second. Any guesses to what part 3 is about?

You guessed it, Newton’s third law.

Newton’s 3rd says that,

“For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.”

As I begin to translate this into health words for you, I have a feeling you already know what I’m going to say.

For every positive step you take, there is an equal and opposite reaction that occurs.

For Nutrition, here are how some positive actions can cancel out any negative actions.

try some yogurt for dessert (your positive step), and there is a big bowl of ice-cream that you didn’t eat!

choose to have breakfast, and your metabolism isn’t still resting!

decide to eat the fresh foods you absolutely love, and displace stomach room for the potato chips you don’t care for as much!

Remember Sir Issac Newton? You know, that guy with long, white hair who had an apple fall on his head and created the three laws of motion? Yes, him. Well….maybe he was talking about more than science in his first law….maybe he was talking about HEALTH!

To refresh your memory, here’s Newton’s First Law:

“An object at rest will remain at rest unless acted on by an unbalanced force. An object in motion continues in motion with the same speed and in the same direction unless acted upon by an unbalanced force.”

This law shows us that objects have a tendency to keep doing what they’re doing. It says that objects resist change unless there is an “unbalanced force” that changes their situation. So, what does this say about your health?

Think nutrition: is your nutrition (your daily intake) “at rest” or is it “in motion?” If it’s at rest, find that “unbalanced force” to change the direction! Get motivated to make easy changes. And if it’s “in motion” make sure it keeps going in the same awesome speed and direction, while resisting the forces that will unbalance it!

Think exercise: is your exercise “at rest” or “in motion?” Newton’s law, translated, says if you’ve been a couch potato, it’s likely you’ll continue to be…and if you’ve been active, you’re likely to stay active. GOOD NEWS: you don’t have to continue being at rest and it is so simple to find the unbalanced force here! All you have to do is get a little bit more active. Put on your tennis shoes. Take the steps instead of the elevator. Park farther away from the grocery store and walk. Once you’re in motion, you’re likely to stay in motion!

So today, GET IN MOTION. Make sure your diet and your body are both positively progressing.

Here’s my question for you: What are you doing today to get in motion?

Comment me and be sure to check back soon for my dissection of Newton’s Second Law.